The Social and Linguistic Development of Angloromani. Working Papers in Sociolinguistics, No. 38.

Hancock, Ian F.

This paper traces the development in Britain of Angloromani, and argues that this language developed within the first half- century after the arrival of the Gypsies in Britain as a specifically reduced contact language between English and Gypsy beggars and outlaws. Evidence indicates that Angloromani was developed as a "compromise" language and one which would prevent outsiders from becoming familiar with the Gypsies' language. Evidence of the status of Angloromani as a pidgin is discussed. A description of Angloromani contains information on the phonology, grammatical features, and lexicon of Angloromani, and on the relationship between this language and English and Romanes. (AM)